Attachment for automatically playing root tones of chords in bass section of organ



Sept. 26, 1961 J. A. GREIF 3,001,432

ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMATICALLY PLAYING ROOT TONES 0F CHORDS IN BASS SECTION OF ORGAN Filed Aug. 12, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. aw A. 6V2

Sept. 26,1961

Filed Aug. l2, 19

E L a? J. A. GREIF' ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMATICA TONE-S OF CHORDS IN BASS S 57 3,001,432 LLY PLAYING ROOT ECTION 0F ORGAN 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Sept. 26, 1961 J. A. GREIF 01, ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMATICALLY PLAYING ROOT TONES OF CHORDS IN BASS SECTION OF ORGAN Filed Aug. 12 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 x mum INVENTOR. \ja/v A. any f 3,001,432 ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMATICALLY PLAYING ROOT TONES OF CHORDS IN BASS SECTION OF ORGAN a Jean A. Greif, Northwestern Organ & Chime Co., Fox

'- Theater Bldg, Spokane, Wash.

Filed Aug. 12, 1957, Ser. No. 677,604 4 Claims. (Cl. S t-1.01) 1 My invention relates to electric organs and similar instruments. The object of the invention is to select the root tone out of chords played on a keyboard of the instrument, using electric action, and to cause this root tone to be played in the bass or pedal tone section of the instrument without any foot action by .the players.

' Patented Sept. 26,; 1961 blocks to the leads to the lower tone sounding contacts In carrying out my inventionl :utilize a number of key I contact blocks each of which has one normally open pair and three normally closed pairs of contacts. These blocks are mounted directly under the keyboard keys. The normally open pair of contacts. is connected in parallel with the cor-responding pedal controlled contacts I (which act when the pedals are depressed) to play the corresponding bass pedal tones: Inplaying amusical chord, by depressing the key that plays the root tone of that chord, the normally open contacts of the block under that key are closed, completing-the circuit to play of'the organ j In order that only the root tone of the chord being played by the keys will be sounded in the pedal section, it is necessary to provide means whereby the depression the corresponding root tone in the bass or pedal section in the base section commonly played by the foot pedals;

FIGURE 2 is arschematic drawing showing the switch blocks and their wiring connections as used in playinga simple chord (triad), legends being added to the drawmg. g

*FIGURE 3 is a wiring diagram illustrating the connections of the normally open and normally closed contact pairs of the several blocks necessary to cause the playing of only the root tonein the bass section of the organ when a chord is played on .the lower manual keyboard.

of the organ.

The invention is applied to organs to enable one to play chords on the keyboard and automatically cause only the root tone of the chord being played .to also be played in a lower octave, as in the bass section. The invention is applied to an organ by using a unit containing twenty switch blocks, each composed of one normally open pair of contacts and three normally closedpairs of contacts. This. unit is positioned preferably so that the switch blocks lie under the twenty keysabove the lowest octave of keys in the lower manual of the. keyboard. More or less switch blocks may be used if desired. Referring now to FIGURE 1, this figure shows the switch blocks as they are associated with the organ keys.

Each key 21 of the organ under which a switch block 22 is to be placed is provided with a'projection 23. In some types of organs this projection 23 is, as shown in FIGURE 1, the means engaging the frame pieces c4 of the organto limit upward movement of the, keys 21 and keep them' in line. The switch blocks '22 are preferably of the keys corresponding to the other tones of that chord will not cause the corresponding. tones (related minor 3rd, the. major 3rd, diminished 5th, major-"and minor 5th and diminished 7th of the chord) to be played on the pedals.

The ideal system would be to break all of the circuits that allow the related tones of the root tone being played to sound, when their corresponding keys are depressed, so that no matter what chord (major, minor, diminished 7th, in any inversion) is played only the root tone will play in the pedal section. The three normally closed contact pairs in the contact. block under each key are so connected in circuit as to accomplish the necessary breaking of-these circuitsof the tones not wanted. For example, in playing a chord in the key of C, by depressing, the key to sound the root tone C, the normally closed contacts of the block under this key are opened and the circuits that would cause the pedal section minor 3rd, major Srd'and diminished 7th tones to play are broken. At first glance it would appear that no provision is made for cancelling' out-the 5th and the diminished 5th. However, when a chord (triad) is played, the major 3rd or minor 3rd tones'are always'played and the key that plays the major orminor 3rd tone will, when depressed, open the normally closed contacts of the block beneath it and thus break the circuits to the 5th controls of the pedal section. Likewisethe key that plays the minor 3rd tone (as part of diminished C chord) will, when depressed,

open the normally closed contacts of the block-beneath it to tbreak the circuit to the diminished 5th control of the pedal section. 1

The detailed circuits and connections by which the playing of only the root tone of a chord in the base or pedal section of the organ is accomplished when the chord is played on the manual keyboard, will be more fully de-.

scribed hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of'the invention is illustrated. i I Inthe drawings: 7 1

' FIGURE l is'a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrat connected to each other to form a single bar or'unit- The switchcontact springs 25-are mounted in the unit of blocks 22 which is a molded bar of a plastic composition. Each switch block 22 has'one pair 25:: of normally open contacts and threeipairs 2512,. 25c and 25d of norej mally closed contacts. One spring of each contact pair.

is extended-into a felt'padded bar 26. The top spring of contact pair 25a and the bottom springs of contact pairs 25b, 25c and 25d are the ones connected to the bar 26. The bar 26 is positioned directly beneath the. corresponding projection 23 ofthe key under which that:switch block 22 is placed. Wiring connections are made as indicated through the blocks 22 from a common current source wire 27' to the base section control wires 28 which, when connected in a completed electrical circuit, will cause their respective tones to sound.

Referringnow to FIGURE 2, in this view there is illustrated the 12 switch blocks 22 that underlie keys C, c#, D, D#, E, F,.F#, G, G#, A, A# and B that represent'the notes of an octave. The block 22 at the extreme left of the figure is preferably placed beneath the next to lowest C key in the lower manual of the organ keyboard. The root tones in thebass section to be sounded automatically may be one or more octavesbelow the root tone of the chord played. The figure is drawn. to,-

indicate that the chord being played is a major C triad, first inversion. depressed. In thefigure the key numbers are indicated on the switch blocks 22 and the keys are left out for simplicity. At C key (No. 1) when this key is depressed it closes the contact-s 25a ofsthe switch block 22 beneath it. This completes a circuit from the common conductor. 27 through the contacts 25a and the closed contacts'of amultipole switch 29 to the base section control conductor 28 for the corresponding root tone C (No. 1) in the base;

section which is represented directly ,below the switch ing the connections from thecontact pairs of two switch.

blocks in FIGURE 2 by a series of'switches 30. These: switches may be actuated by pedals, keys, or both asvisthe case in some organs. The root tone in the base section is thus played along with the root tone ofthe chords 7 Key.5-.(E), is also depressed to sound the major 351;

In playing this chord keys 1, 5 and 8 are illustrated in FIGURE 2, but,"in-

I the connections are left out for the sake of. simplicity. 111 FIGURE 3 the normally open contact of each switch tone .ofithe chord and closes its root tone circuit at the contact 25a of the corresponding switch block 22 (No. so that it would play its root tone (major 3rd of the chord) in the base section. But this circuit is broken :by thedepression'of key C :(No. 1), which opens contact pair 250 of the switch 22 under key C. -This contact pair is shown connected .in series with the contact v .pair 25a of the switch block 22 under key 5. Thus the major- 3rd tone of the chord not be played :auto- 1 m-atically in the bass section.

25a'so that it would play its root'tone in the base section. However, this .circuit is broken by the depression of either i keyi5 (E) or key 4 (D#) :at their normally closed .con-' tacts 25c and 25d respectively. Since key 5 (E) is deright normally closed switch A (position l0),1eft normally closed switch D# (positions4), and themultiple contact switch 29 to the control circuit for the key C# in the bass section. Thusdepressing either key D# at 16, A# at 11, A at 10, or D# to the bass section.

The normally 'openswitches at D tion 15) are connected in parallel to the common wire a 27. Their circuit to the bass .section can be'broke'nby I the chord and closes its root tone circuit at the contact. 7

pressed in playing the chord, the fifth tone of the chord will'notbeplayed automatically in the bass section.

It will be noted that contact pair 25b of the switch block 22under key .C (-No. 1) breaks the root tone cir edit to the bass section for key D# (No. 4) so that if the minor 3rd tone were sounded in'a chord inthe key of e C, then the corresponding tone in the bass section would not be played. Also in the drawing, FIGURE 2,- it'is vshown ho'w the contact 'pair25d of the switch block 22 underkey C (No. 1) breaks the root tonefcircuit to the base section for key A# (No. 11) to prevent the root tone of this (diminished 7th) being played in the bass sec- 7 tion so long as key C is depressed. The diminished 5th tone sounding key. is key F# (No. 7); This key is preblock is shown as an-openswitch and the normally closed contacts ofeach block are shown as closedswitches. In

These connections followbasically the connections FIGURE Beach switch block is marked with the musical note designation of the key it is placed beneath and is also numbered by position. The connections to the switch 29 andto the bass section control circuit .are the same as in FIGURE '2 so they need not be described in detail herein. g

The common current carrying wire 27is shown in FIGUREB as connected to the'left hand normally open switch of each switch block. Tracing the circuit from this switch for C (position No. 1) it goes to the normal- 1y open switch for C in the next higher. octave (position No. 13) s'ofthat these two switches are in parallel. If either of these normally open switches is closed, circuit is completed through the left normally closed switch at D (position 15), then through the left normally closed switch at A; (position 10), then through the left normal- 1y closed switch at G# (position9), then through the left normally closed switch at D (position 3 then through the multiple contact switch 29 and to the control circuit for the key C in the .bass section to sound the :ro'ott'one C in the bass section.

'Thus if either of the keys 1D. (position 15 or '3), A (position '10) -or G# (position 9) is depressed, the depression-of the "key C (at either'position l or 13) cannot cause the sounding 0f the root tone C in therbass section. a

'By tracing the circuit it is found that the normally 1 open switch at position .2, .c.#, is wired'zparallel to the normal-ly=-openswitch position 1 4, C#, so that the circuit-fir'om the common "wire 27 through either-of these i j switches 'isthrough leftnorm'ally closedswitch he (position, 1 6"),, leit normally :closed switch A# osnion, :11.)

depressing key Bat 17, key B at 12, key A# at 11 or f.

key E at 5.

The normally .open switchestat D# (position and pos1t1on 16) are connected in parallel to the common wire 27. Their circuit to the basssection can be broken by depressing-key Fat 1.8, key Cat 13, key B at 12, key F at 6, or key C at 1 The normally open switches at E (position ;5. and posi-.

tion 17), are connected :in parallel tothe common {wire 27. Their circuit to'the bass section can be brokenby; depressing key F# .at "19, key C# at 14, key-C at13,

key F# at 7, key C#.at 2'or key .0 at 1.

. The normally open switches at F (position 6 and'position-18) 'are connected inv parallel to the common wire 27. Their circuit to the bass section can be broken :by depressing; key G at 20, key D atlS, key .C# :at 14;

The normally open switches at F# (position 7 and posh tion 19) are connected in parallel to the'common wire 27. Their circuit to the bass section can be broken by, depressing key D# at 16, key D :at 15, key 693- at 9r key D# at 4 or key!) at 3. The normally open switches tion 20) areconnected in parallel to the cominonwire 27.

Their circuit to the bass section can The broken by -.dc-" pressingkey E at 17, key.D# at 16, key A at. 10, keyE.

at -5, or key D# at 4. 1

The normally open switch at G# (position ,9) isco'nnected to thecommon wire 27. .(With twenty :switch blocks there is no switch under G# in the upper octave so no parallel circuit is needed for this key.) The circuit through the switch at G# to the bass section can be broken by depressing keyE .a't'17, keyF at 18, key Ail: atll, key Fat6orkeyEat 5.

The normally open switch 'at A'(position10) is connected to the common wire 27 The circuit through this switch to the bass section can. be broken by depressing key F at 18, key 'F# at 19, key-B at 12, key ,F# at 7,.orf

key F at 6. r t

The normally open switch at A# (position 11) isconnected to the common wire 27. The circuit through this. switch to the bass section can be broken by depressing key G at 20, key F# at 19, key C at 13, key G at 8, key

Fit at 7 or key C at 1. This confirms the explan atimti in connection with FIGURE 2 where it'was :pointed out that the diminished 7th (A#) circuit to the bass section was'broken by depressing the key C. r I

The normally open switch at B (position 12) is coilnected to the common wire 27 The circuit through this switch to the bass section can be broken bydepressing key G at 20, key C3 at 14, key G#' at 9,'key=G at .8 or

key C# at 2.

When the unit made up of the switch blocks 22 .and

the wiring connections just described is installed as described herein, the playing of a chord in the lower manual of the organ will,.so=l0ng as the switch 29 is closed, cause the root tone, and only the root tone of the chord to .be played in the bass section which is usually played by the pedals. This enables the player who cannot for any reason, play the pedals, to get pedal tones played automatically. 1 V v The insertion of the unit does not interfere with normal .play or .theorgan. Opening ofthe multipole switch 29 breaks all of the circuitslto the bass .Section ,so that unit.

at 4, will break the C# circuit (position 3 and posi at (position. i8 and posi- V i I Having thus described my inventiomI claim:

1. An attachment for electric organs, operable automatically, when a chord is played on the keyboard, to cause the sounding of the root tone of the chord in a lower octave in the bass section of the organ than that in which the chord is played, said attachment comprising a series of switch blocks operable by depression of the keys of the keyboard used in playing chords, each switch block including a normally open pair of contacts and a plurality of normally closed pairs of contacts, the normally open pair of contacts of each switch block being connected in the control circuit for the corresponding tone in a lower octave of the organ, the normally closed pairs of contacts of said switch being intercom nected with normally open contact pairs of the switch blocks operable by depression of keys used to play certain related tones of said chord whereby depression of the root tone key of the chord prevents the sounding of the tones corresponding to said related tones in said lower octave.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein a normal- 1y closed pair of contacts of at least one of said last named switch blocks is interconnected with the normally open contact pair of a switch block operable by depression of a key used to play another one of the related tones of said chord so as to prevent the sounding in the lower octave of the tone corresponding to said other related tone.

3. An attachment for electric organs operable automatically, when a chord is played on the keyboard, to cause the sounding of the root tone of ,that chord in a lower octave in the bass section of the organ than that in which the chord is played, said attachment comprising a series of switch blocks mounted beneath the keys 3rd and minor 3rd tones of said corresponding tone in the lower octave.

4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein a manually operable multiple switch interposed between the control circuits of said lower octave and said switch blocks, is operable to break all connections from said switch blocks to the lower octave control circuits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,376,682 Depue May 3, 1921 2,045,172 Yungblut June 23, 1936 2,293,499 Fisher Aug. 18, 1942 2,301,871 Hanert NOV. 10, 1942 2,422,940 Waage June 24, 1947 2,562,670 Koehl July 31, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 630,202 Germany May 27,1936 

